Stories of Great Hope

KEY UPDATES AND MILESTONES
WOMEN BUILD VOLUNTEERS HELPING BUILD AN AFFORDABLE HOME FOR A LOW-INCOME FAMILY IN MANITOBA LAST YEAR.
ECHUM HASSIME OGUTA HAS BEEN ABLE TO INSTALL WINDOWS AND COMPLETE THE FIRST DECENT HOME
HE’S EVER HAD WITH A MICROFINANCE LOAN FROM HABITAT FOR HUMANITY UGANDA’S MASINDI BRANCH.
AT HOME
From Victoria to Halifax, and to the
bounds of the Arctic Circle, Habitat
was busy in every province and territory
last year, raising funds, building
homes and transforming lives.
In 2012, the keys to an additional
220 homes were handed over to
low-income families partnering with
Habitat to improve their shelter conditions.
Here are some key highlights
on the work that make this possible:
ABORIGINAL HOUSING PROGRAM
The Aboriginal Housing Program
seeks to better understand the distinct
housing challenges faced by
Aboriginal Canadians, while providing
housing solutions for low-income families
both on- and off-reserve.
Δ Since it was introduced in 2007, 50
homes have been completed
through the Aboriginal Housing
Program, expanding affordable homeownership
options for low-income
Aboriginal families.
Δ In September, Habitat for Humanity
Yukon and the Champagne and
Aishihik First Nations broke ground
on the first Canadian Habitat
project on First Nations settlement
land. Once complete, this triplex
development will provide affordable
Habitat homeownership for three
more First Nations families. (More
about this build on page 12.)
WOMEN BUILD
Through Women Build, Habitat homes
are built with a focus on promoting
women as leaders in the trades.
Δ There were 11 Women Build events
held across Canada last year. Since
2000, Women Build events have
contributed to the construction
of almost 90 affordable homes in
eight provinces.
RESTORE
ReStores are home and building supply
stores run by Habitat for Humanity
affiliates that accept and resell quality
new and used building supplies, home
furnishings, appliances and decor.
Shopping at a ReStore is a socially and
environmentally-conscious decision,
as funds generated support Habitat
homebuilding, and because many of
the items donated would otherwise
end up in landfill.
Δ In 2012, Canadian ReStores diverted
more than 25,000 tons of material
from landfill.
Δ 77 ReStores are now operated by
60 Habitat for Humanity affiliates
across Canada.
HABITAT CONSULTED ON
FEDERAL BUDGET
Last year saw Habitat for Humanity
Canada increase its presence in
Ottawa. In the fall, federal Finance
Minister Jim Flaherty sought advice
from Habitat for Humanity
Canada on what to include in renewed
federal-provincial affordable
housing agreements. In December,
Habitat for Humanity Canada’s President
& CEO was one of 64 business
leaders to join Minister Flaherty for
pre-budget roundtable consultations
covering workable ideas on solidifying
economic recovery and positioning
Canada to compete and prosper over
the long term.
Habitat’s participation comes as all
levels of government increasingly
look towards affordable homeownership
to be part of their approach
to assisting families that lack a safe,
decent and affordable home.
ABROAD
Inadequate housing is a global problem
that requires a global solution.
Habitat recognizes that we must address
this issue internationally as well
as domestically, and for this reason
Habitat for Humanity Canada funds,
leads, and provides volunteer support
for housing and infrastructure projects
in the developing world.
GLOBAL VILLAGE CANADA
Global Village Canada is an international
volunteer program that sends
Canadians around the globe to work
hand in hand with families who lack
adequate shelter.
Δ Since Habitat for Humanity Canada’s
first Global Village trip in 2005,
Canadian volunteers have built more
than 500 homes in 34 countries. As
well, the program has generated
more than $3 million for Habitat’s
global mission.
ENABLING NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIVAL IN HAITI
In September 2012, Habitat for
Humanity Canada wrapped up its first
series of urban development projects
in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.
Focused on improving living
conditions and providing access to
critical services in the neighbourhood
of Simon-Pelé, some projects
outcomes included the repair of 175
homes, installation of 100 sanitation
facilities, as well as the training of
residents in financial literacy and
reconstruction techniques.
This project was undertaken with financial
support from the Government
of Canada, provided through the
Canadian International Development
Agency.
TITHING
Habitat for Humanity affiliates send
(tithe) a portion of the donations
they receive locally to the developing
world in recognition of their commitment
to alleviating substandard
housing conditions abroad.
Δ In 2012, Canadian Habitat for
Humanity affiliates sent a total of
$358,069 through tithe donations
to support the construction of safe,
decent and affordable homes in
Haiti, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador,
Bolivia, Nepal and Uganda.
INCREASING ACCESS TO HOUSING
MICROFINANCE PRODUCTS
Through a new partnership, Habitat for
Humanity Canada, Habitat for Humanity
International and The MasterCard Foundation
will enable more than 17,000 additional
households to access housing
microfinance products and services to
improve their lives.
Focusing on Ghana, Kenya and Uganda,
the five-year project launched in
October will work with up to nine local
financial institutions already serving
the poor to build their capacity and
diversify products and services in order
to meet shelter-related needs. In total,
the project will provide $6.6 million
to expand microfinance services for
the maintenance and improvement of
homes in these three African countries.
A+ IN OVERALL
CHARITY EFFICIENCY
Habitat for Humanity Canada Foundation
was named as one of 2012’s
top 100 charities by MoneySense
Magazine, earning an A+ for overall
charity efficiency.
Habitat homes are a hand up, not a
hand out, as partner families pay back
the full value of their home through a
zero-interest mortgage. That means
that a donation to Habitat actually
helps many families over several generations,
as funds used to build homes
today will eventually be paid back to
Habitat through affordable mortgage
payments and then reinvested to build
more homes.
TRANSFORMING
E-WASTE
Working in partnership with the Ontario
Electronic Stewardship program, several
Ontario ReStores have begun accepting
e-waste, providing eco-friendly
and Habitat-friendly ways to recycle
over 185 different household appliances
and electronics. Recyclable items range
from televisions and computers to hair
driers and humidifiers, and all proceeds
from the program are helping to expand
access to affordable Habitat homeownership
locally.
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